Asher Barnett joins U.S. National Junior Team for 2026 World Juniors
Asher Barnett has earned a spot on the U.S. National Junior Team for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. The tournament will take place from December 26 to January 5 in St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Barnett, a prospect for the Edmonton Oilers, currently plays for the University of Michigan Wolverines.
Barnett was chosen by the Oilers in the fifth round (131st overall) of the 2025 NHL Draft. This season, as a freshman with the Wolverines, he has already contributed eight assists in 20 games.
Before joining Michigan, Barnett served as captain of Team USA at the 2025 U18 World Junior Championship. His leadership helped secure a bronze medal, with six points scored across seven matches. He is one of six Wolverines selected for World Juniors teams this year. Among them is Will Horcoff, son of former Oilers forward Shawn Horcoff.
The championship will run for 11 days in Minnesota. Barnett’s experience as a U18 captain and his current performance at Michigan position him as a key player for the U.S. team. The Oilers will be watching closely as he competes on the international stage.
